This is a snap in speech, but in writing it does present difficulties. This is especially true where the three different uses of the apostrophe overlap. The worst offenders are butchers who sell “pork chop's” or “hamburger's.” It's still another reason to become a grammarian or a vegetarian.

In the meantime, here are the rules for using apostrophes.

Use an apostrophe to show possession.

With singular nouns not ending in s, add an apostrophe and s.

Examples: girl, girl's manuscript; student, student's ideas

With singular nouns ending in s, add an apostrophe and s.

Examples: Charles, Charles's book; hostess, hostess's menu

If the new word is hard to say, leave off the s. For example: James' book, Louis' menu. You won't get arrested by the grammar police for using your brain.

With plural nouns ending in s, add an apostrophe after the s.

Examples: girls, girls' manuscript; students, students' ideas

With plural nouns not ending in s, add an apostrophe and s.

Examples: women, women's books; mice, mice's tails

Use an apostrophe to show plural forms.

Use an apostrophe and s to show the plural of a letter.

You Could Look It Up

Contractions are two words combined. When you contract words, add an apostrophe in the space where the letters have been taken out.

Example: does + not = doesn't

Example: Mind your p's and q's.

Use an apostrophe and s to show the plural of a number.

Example: Computers will be even more important in the late 1990's.

Use an apostrophe and s to show the plural of a word referred to as a word.

Example: There are too many distracting like's and um's in her speech.